This time of year is such a transition and it always brings about mixed emotions. I am so very sad to see the easygoing days of summer come to an end but I also feel the exciting pull of the start of a new school year. I feel sad looking back on how we have put another summer under our belts and the kids have, once again, grown taller and more independent.
Summers past are like landmarks, familiar places I can look back on and see how far we have come. At the beginning of summer I feel it long and endless in front of me but, in a flash it is gone and I find myself wondering where the time went. The end of each summer reminds me of the passage of time and has me somewhat melancholy reminiscing of days gone by when motherhood was new and my babies were just that.
A summer past.
"The days are long but the years are short."
This was said to me by a wise mom in the early sleepless days of motherhood. I could not relate but now it is one of my favourite phrases to reflect on at this time of year. So very true indeed.
But at the same time as there is melancholy there is excitement for what is new. My son starts middle school this year and my daughter will be venturing out without the safety net of her big brother, free to be who she is all on her own. I am the mom of "Big Kids" now. No longer fussing over the details of their little lives.
This summer.
So, at this time of year I look back and remember. It is the end. But I also look forward with anticipation of a new beginning.
What about you? Are you eager to get your kids back to school or sad to see the summer go?
i will be experiencing having days to myself for the first time in 8 years! my youngest is going into grade 1. i don't know what i'll do! walk all day? bake all day? goof off all day? it will be a gong show of a september but i suppose i should find some sort of gainful employment. being a SAHM doesn't really pay at all.
i do miss summer already cuz i feel i need to cram more stuff in these last few days! cne, centre island, zoo....sheesh, should've started earlier :-)
It depends on the day you ask me. Today for instance, I am counting the seconds until next Tuesday at 9:15am. They are on my last nerve today - fighting like dogs.
But as a whole this summer has flown by. I really cannot believe that school starts next week. I take that as a good indicator that we had a good summer. We really did.
It is a bittersweet September for me as I send my baby to kindy. She is ready and beyond excited so I'll take my cue from her.
I am excited that she'll be in school 2 full days a week - KID FREE days for me.
I am grateful that I will have those other days with her.
I can't believe the summer is finally over. I still remember the last day of school when the kids came home with all their last crafts from stuffed into their backpacks (some of which are still sitting on the dining room table).
My son starts JK this year, my youngest daughter starts daycare, my eldest daughter made the competitive dance team and my sister - who lives with us - is heading off to University.
The "wise mom" quote you wrote above made me tear-up a bit because it's so true. The days are so very long some times but the years are whizzing by so fast I am worried I am going to miss something.
Sometimes all we can do is just hold on...
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